Recovery Centers of America at Lighthouse in Mays Landing, NJ

ABOUT RECOVERY CENTERS OF AMERICA AT LIGHTHOUSE

Located in the scenic community of Mays Landing, just inland from New Jersey's southern shore, Recovery Centers of America at Lighthouse (RCA Lighthouse) provides residential and outpatient treatment for individuals struggling with problematic substance use and dual diagnosis.

RCA operates a total of five residential treatment centers, in Massachusetts, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, plus several outpatient centers in the region.

TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT

The treatment ethos at Recovery Centers of America is built around the 12-Steps, supplemented by counseling and evidence-based treatments.

On the residential program, clients participate in individual and group therapy that uses such evidence-based methods as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and motivational enhancement therapy. Residents also receive educational sessions on the nature of addiction and recovery, relapse prevention training, and leadership training sessions. Weekly family meetings are held for loved ones and include educational workshops and multi-family group therapy.

Outpatient options include a partial hospitalization program (PHP), which consists of approximately 25 hours of treatment a week, and an intensive outpatient program, (IOP) that meets three days a week for three hours at a time.

An alumni program offers education, support, and access to community events.

STAFF CREDENTIALS

The treatment team includes master's level clinicians and a licensed addiction counselor. The five individuals polled by Rehabs.com to date on the staff's level of training and experience gave it an average rating of four stars.

ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES

The facility’s website advertises farm-to-table food prepared by a professional chef, chauffeur services, a TV in each room, and basketball and volleyball courts. Pictures published on the center’s website show full-sized beds in bright, airy rooms, and some outdoor space. Yoga is also offered as an integral part of treatment. The six individuals polled by Rehabs.com to date on the center's cleanliness gave it a 3.5-star average rating.

In March 2016, Business Wire reported that the facility had undergone extensive renovations following its purchase by Recovery Centers of America. The remodel reportedly included new furniture, upgraded technology, and more gourmet dining options.

WHAT ALUMNI SAY

Of the nine reviews submitted to Rehabs.com to date, six were positive, one mixed, and two negative. All four of the alumni polled on the facility's holistic offerings gave them mediocre-to-poor ratings of two and three stars. Meanwhile, the two alumni polled on the center's family participation gave it a one-star rating and a three-star rating.

Three of the nine alumni polled complained of inadequate programming at the facility. "In conclustion this place is a nice place but there is no real therapy here and the groups are not run by people who are quailifed to provide any therapy no have the knowledge of any of the latest advances in addiction science," A.F. wrote in a particularly descriptive review, while P.L. described the facility as "more of a detox center" than a residential treatment program. One reviewer also complained of an excessive emphasis on the 12-Steps and an unadvertised religious component to treatment.

However, the positive reviews outnumbered the negative. These reviewers tended to offer general praise, noting that they had learned a lot and that RCA Lighthouse had helped them to achieve sobriety. "The treatment is great and I have learned a lot about my situation and my counselors were very helpful, Great people and Program!" C.B. wrote in a representative review.

WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY

Of the five reviews submitted to Rehabs.com to date, two were positive, two negative, and one mixed. The four loved ones polled on the facility's offerings in a variety of treatment metrics gave it average ratings of 2.5 stars and three stars respectively for its family participation and its counseling options.

Two reviewers cited a lack of follow-up and aftercare, and two echoed alumni by complaining of inadequate services during their loved one's residential stay. "There was no follow-up at all from The Lighthouse," Gail wrote in one representative review; "Very poor treatments. Granddaughter spent time there and hated it," an anonymous reviewer added. However, two reviewers disagreed entirely, noting that treatment had been effective for their loved ones. "This rehab did wonders for my daughter. If it wasn't for her two counselors, I don't think my daughter would be alive," D.C. wrote in a particularly glowing review.

FINANCING

According to its website, RCA Lighthouse accepts most private insurance plans and offers some financing options, though the details of these are not specified at the time of this writing. The five individuals polled by Rehabs.com to date on the center's affordability gave it an average rating of 3.6 stars.

Published on February 2018